THE performance of the Malaysia’s contingent, particularly the Penang’s athletes, at the concluded 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia recently should be acknowledged with a positive outlook.
Penang State Sports Council (PSSC) director Harry Chai expressed his support for the athletes’ efforts despite their overall performance being only average.
“Ultimately, being a ‘winner’ is not always about coming in the first place or achieving a specific outcome. Instead, it is about maintaining a positive attitude, learning from experiences, and continuously striving for personal growth and improvement.
“I commend the athletes for their invaluable experience, willingness to learn and their display of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
“It is important that they enjoy the game, and show good sportsmanship,” he said.
In the concluded SEA Games, Malaysia won 34 gold, 45 silver and 97 bronze medals to be ranked seventh in the medal table.
Elsewhere, the Penang athletes, who represented the country, managed to secure two golds in snooker; three silvers (one each in snooker, hockey, badminton) and bronze medals in fin swimming, gymnastics, karate, snooker and judo.
Penang Billiard and Snooker Association chairman Datuk Tan Cheong Heng highlighted that more than 70% of the players are from Penang.
“The two golds were won by Thor Chuan Leong and Moh Keen Hoo, who are both from the state.
“I am proud of their achievements and hope their success can inspire them to aim for more glory,” he said.
Tan expressed his hopes of setting up a training academy in Penang to ensure that the state players receive professional training.
Story by Edmund Lee